Bee Gum Log p/u in Cumberland County, VA 12/13/14

A dead Poplar tree was cut for firewood. Oh no! The tree has honey bees. 

Top of the comb containing honey is just to the right (stump side) of the crack in the log.

The only entrance into the hollow is where I stuffed the white rag.

Top edge of the comb. The log has been set back to its original position.

A plate has been milled with the opening just over the comb area. High density foam was used to seal the area between the board and uneven cuts on the log. 

A sleeve with a small entrance notch was added. The medium super will come off, and a candy board will go on under the lid. 

Farmville, VA; Honey Bee Cut Out

Vacuuming the field and guard bees first before getting to the nest. The h bees were in the ladder construction of the over hanging rafter.

We had to get past a yellow jacket nest at the lower end of the soffit before we could even get near the h bees.

Forest, VA Honey Bee Colony Removal

Harry is vacuuming bees at the entrance as Jay is removing thin popular weather boarding. 

Weather boarding has been removed, both 2 x 10 ribbon joist have been cut to expose the nest.

Tommy removed the nest comb.

A sheet of brood comb held by Tommy.

Jay has cut the brood comb to size for the deep frames. Rubber bands are used to hold the comb in place.

The frames with comb are placed into the deep box on the ground next to the field table. The bees from the vacuum collection boxes ( in the back ground )  will be joined with the comb once back at the home bee yard.

Honey Bee Removal; Rustburg, VA

This is the first pine log (dead) I have seen that is center hollow smooth and filled with honey bees. Removal , was done by Harry Lowry and Tommy Nelson on August 27, 2014.

July Swarm with David R.

This swarm was 20 feet off the ground. We used the bucket of a front end loader on a farm tractor to go up and cut the limb, and lower the cluster into a double deep hive body that was also in the bucket.

A Swarm Before The Storm

Thanks to the tractor operator for lifting the vacuum & catch box

Drakes Branch, VA Colony Removal

The honey bees were entering the house at the porch roof junction



A Dermal was use to cut the heads of the nails holding the old asbestos shingles. 

The nest has been partly exposed

Finish up with the vacuum

Baton insulation was used to fill the cleaned out cavity, and the sheeting returned. 

Winter Feeding

 

February 22, 2014

Winter Feeding

Marshmallow Fondant, Pollen Pattie

2:1 Sugar Syrup with Honey B Healthy and Tee Tree Oil 

 

Winter in the bee yard

 

February 17, 2014

 

 

Season 2014 begins

Today February 1st, we find ourselves with a 65 degree temperature. I have taken the opportunity to remove the beetle traps, clean the trays, and check the hives for additional supplemental fondant and pollen patties.